Indicator



Sept. 16, '1930. w WHALEN ,1,775,662

INDICATOR Filed Dec. 11, 19'29 IN1/ENT practice to dispose a rotatable grooved turn- Y Patented Sept. 176, 193()` stares PATENT'O1-Fics WILLIAM II. WHALEN, or BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, AssIGNOR To OON'IINUOUs RAIL oROssINe CORPORATION, or RENO, NEVADA, A CORPORATION OrNEvADA INDICATOR Application illed'December 11, 1929.-. jSerial No.- 413,251.

My invention relates to crossings at the intersections of twoor more railroad tracks and is particularly related to means for indicating the position crossings. i i

ln railroad crossings it has become the table in a suitable base at'eacli intersection of a pair of rails so that four turntables are used at each crossing.

in object of my invention is to provide means for indicating the positionof the turntables in the crossing. f

Another object of my invention is `to pro- Avidep'ositive means Ior indicating the position of each turntable in the crossing inde-- pendent of the other three turntables.

r* further Object of my invention is to provide means for locking the turntables in their extreme position. i

A still further objectfof my invention is to provide means for locking the turntables in either extreme position in case of emergency or for any other reason.

@ther Objects together with some ofthe advantageous features of my invention will be set forth in the following discussion where I shall outline the preferred embodiment of my invention. ln the drawings l have shown one embodiment of my invention but it is to be understood that l do not limit myself to such form since the invention, as set forth in the appended claims, may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

Figure l is a plan view of a rail intersection showing the preferred embodiment of my invention, parts being broken away to disclose the construction.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the rail intersection, the plane of section `'being indicated by the line .Q -2 of Figure l.

ln its preferred aspect, my invention comprises a rail intersection formed with a casing in which is rotatably mounted a turntable having a groove in its upper face adapted to register, in either of two eXtreme positions, with either of the intersectingV rails, together with an emergency loclr for locking the turntable in its extreme positions, locking means for locking the turntable in its extreme posi- Y Aof turntables in the "it is deemed advisable,

tions, turning means for 'revolving the turntable between its extreme positions, and an indicator for disclosing the position of the turntable. Y

At each pair of intersecting rails 2 and 3 in acrossing, I preferably provide a casing et which is' conveniently formedintegral with the intersecting rails or which may `be'forrnerl separately therefrom. Each ofthe casings is of cylindrical interior contourto receive a generally cylindrical turntable 6 having 2L diametrical groove 7 in itsupper surface. The turntable is adapted to be rotated within the casing, the groove 7 being of such form and dimensions as to register or be 1nV alignment with either of the rails 2 or 3 when the turntablevis placed in its eXtreme positions,` The turntable is preferably provided with acentrally depending extension 8 journaled within the casing l and having a noncircular seat 9 adjacent its lower end.

. Means are provided for suitably rotating the turntable. T he turning means include a lever4 l0 having anon-circular aperture therein adapted to engage theseat 9. The lever lO i'salso secured to a shaft ll and this linkage for revolving the turntable may be controlled ifrom any suitable point l such as a signal tower 25.. Y

`In order to secure the turntable 6 `in either extreme position in emergencies or whenever I provide a suitable locking bolt l2 in threaded engagement with the casing.V This bolt, `upon rotation, can

be projectedinto either of two radial recesses lrand la in the turntable, thus precluding any rotation thereof. Ialso provide remotely controlled means for locking the turntable in eitherextreme position. This means includes locking pin 16, having ahead 17,

pivotejd tov `lever 18 engaged by anV arm 19 which is controlled from a suitable point such' as the signal tower 24. This pin i6, upon operation of thelinlrage just described, can bep'rojected intoeither of two radial recesses 2l and 22 the turntable, thus precluding any rotation thereof. s p Meansfor positively indicating the'position of the turntable are provided and preferably include a pair of superimposed pins 23 and 24 which are adapted to be actuated by complementary cam surfaces 26 and 27 formed upon the periphery of the turntable G. The pins are pivotally connected to the opposite ends of a rocker 28 which is secured to a shaft 29 journaled in the casing 4. The shaft conifeniently is provided with an eXtension 8l on which one end of a rod 32 is pivotally connected. The other end of the rod 32 is in engagement with an indicator such as a semaphore adapted to lie in either position or 5 corresponding to the position of turntable G.

The semaphore which is adapted to indicate the position of the turntable is operated by the above descri ed linkage in the following manner. As the turntable is rotated to place the groove 7 in alignment with the rail 2, cam surface 26 bears upon pin Q3 and, since the pin is pivotally connected to the rocker 28, aetuates the rocher and causes the shaft 29 to be rotated which in turn moves the rod 32 to place the` semaphore as indicated at 33 in the signal tower. As the turntable is rotated to place the groove 7 in alignment with the rail 3, the cam surface 27 of the turntable G bears upon the pin 24 thereby actuating the rocker 28, the shaft 29 and the lever 32 to place the semaphore in the position 34 in the signal tower.

My invention, as just described, aifords positive means for indicating the position of the turntable in the crossing` and hence that the crossing is or is not in safe condition for the passage of cars.

I claim:

l. A rail crossing comprising intersecting rails, a casing at the intersection of said rails, a turntable in said casing'adapted to rotate therein between two extreme positions, said turntable having a groove in its upper surface adapted to be aligned in said extreme positions with either of said rails, means for revolving said turntable, and means adapted to be moved by a cam surface on said turntable for indicating the position of said turntable.

2. A rail crossing comprising intersecting rails, a casing at the intersection of said rails, a turntable in said casing adapted to rotate therein between two extreme positions, said turntable having cam surfaces formed upon its periphery and a groove in its upper surface adapted to be aligned with either of said rails, means for revolving said turntable, means adapted to bear upon said cam surfaces, and means engaging said last named means for indicating the position of said turntable.

A rail crossing comprising intersecting rails, a casing at the intersection of said rails, a` turntable in said casing adapted to rotate therein between two extreme positions, said turntable having cam surfaces formed upon its periphery and having a groove in its upper surface adapted to be aligned in said eX- treme positions with either of said rails, means for revolving said turntable, indicating means adapted to be moved by said cam surfaces, and means for locking said turntable in either extreme position.

4. A rail crossing` con'iprising intersecting rails, a easing at the intersection of said rails, a turntable in said casing adapted to rotate therein between two extreme positions, said turntable having` cam surfaces formed upon its periphery and having a groove in its upper surface adapted to be aligned in said eX- treme positions with either of said rails, a pair of superimposed pins adapted to bear upon said cam surfaces, means secured to and adapted to be actuated by said pins for indicating the position of said turntable, a locking pin in threaded engagement with said easing for locking said turnable in either extreme position, and means for rotating said turntable.

An indicator comprising a pair of intersecting rails a secured to said rails, a turntable in said casing adapted to be rotated therein, said turntable having cam surfaces forined upon its periphery and having a groove in its upper surface adapted to be aligned with either of said rails, a pair of superiinpos pins in engagement with said cam surfaces and adapted to be moved, means for rotating sain turntable, means in engagenent with said pins for indicating the position of said turntable, and means for locking said turntable in either of its extreme positions.

In testimony whereof, l have l creunto set my hand.

VILLIAM H. VVHALEN.

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